Tamluk, May 13: At least 50 people who had fallen ill after drinking spurious liquor in East Midnapores Tamluk early this month have lost their vision, according to ophthalmologists who examined them at a health camp today.

Hundreds of others are said to be at the risk of losing their vision.

At least 33 people had died after drinking the liquor between May 2 and 4. Over 200 people were treated at the district hospital and many others were admitted to nursing homes here and in neighbouring Mecheda.

Of the 317 victims we examined today, 10 have become completely blind. Forty others have suffered a significant loss of vision and are moving towards blindness, said Swapan Kumar Samanta, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital.

According to doctors, these 50 are suffering from toxic amblyopia, a condition in which chemical toxicity (in this case of the liquor) creates inflammation of optic nerves, leading to blindness.

These 50 have a vision of three metres, said Samanta.

According to the Union health ministrys norms, a person with a vision of less than six metres is called visually challenged.

The 10 who have turned completely blind have zero vision, said Samanta.

Doctors said that the other villagers examined today were also at the risk of losing their vision and needed regular check-ups.

The camp at Bolluk village was organised by the Trinamul Congress-run Shahid Matangini panchayat samiti, under which the 10-odd affected villages fall.

Its deputy chief, Bibhas Kar, said the camp was organised after people started complaining of vision problems. Another camp will be held on May 22.